Eastern Canada F-Class Championships - June 29th - July 1st

[ScottyB]

On behalf of the organizers I'd like to extend an invitation to all F-Class shooters to come and check out this year's Eastern Canada F-Class Championships. This will be our 3rd annual event, and it is being shot at Connaught Ranges in Ottawa, ON from June 29th - July 1st.

For those of you who may not be familiar with it Connaught is widely viewed as one of the finest 1000y ranges in the world and was the site of the first ever F Class World Championships. Connaught will also be hosting the 2017 World Championships, so this is a great opportunity to come out and learn the range in a more relaxed setting. The range is about an hour north from the NY (Ogdensburg) border.

While we typically draw most of our shooters from the eastern provinces we do get a few folks coming up from the US every year, and we would certainly like to host more American shooters. The event has divisions for F-Open and F-TR and is shot Bisley-style (no string shooting); markers are included in the match fees so that competitors don't have to pull targets.

If you'd like more information please visit the event website at www.easternfclass.ca or send me a PM.

Hope to see you up here!

Scott

 

[The Viper]

I would like to second ScottyB's statement concerning the range at Connaught. The range is second to none in North America. The DCRA runs the matches with precision and over the last 10 years I've personally competed there. The winds are true but can be tricky at times. It's one of the best ranges to learn and enhance a shooters wind reading skills.

The competitions are always relaxed and completely enjoyable. Base facilities are some of the finest you will find anywhere. They also have a great dining facility. Some of the finest shooters in the world are always in attendance. In Canada we don't string shoot. Squadding is either two or three to a target, alternating shots between the shooters. They have kept F Class as pure a shooting sport as possible. This format is the way F Class was and is supposed to be shot. If you really want to test your wind reading skills, then Connaught is a must for any serious shooter.

Bob Pastor

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Last time I shot there was in 1983, 30 years ago. It's an absolutely gorgeous place to shoot. I would love to go back; I doubt it will ever happen. I still have a copy of the DCRA newsletter booklet from 1982.

 

[Caliche Pit]

Our friends to the North are our most overlooked American Allies. Having fished there for many, many years, I can't say enough about the hospitality the Canadians show towards Americans. I have not been to major cities, I am referring to the common rural Canadian citizens, and they are just like their American counterparts. I just purchased my first F-Class rifle, as an aging service rifle shooter looking into the future. If this is a match that you can afford in this obamanation of an economy, you should attend. This would be a great event for the USA F-Class team to hit. Know what I mean, Ehh?

 

[Immike]

Thank you for the warm invitation. This sounds like a trip to remember and worth making. I am just about finished (I think) raising my children and can't wait to take in the sites. I will have to make this a MUST DO and try to make the rounds to see other enthusiastic friends in the Northern parts of the America's. Thanks again for the invitation.

 

[ScottyB]

Thanks for the endorsements Viper and Bayou Shooter! I hope those of us in the Ottawa area realize how spoiled we are to have this range available to shoot, even if it's only a couple of times per week; I count myself even luckier because it's only 5 mins from my front door! Bob, on behalf of all of us up here I'd like to say that we are certainly going to miss having you up; unless of course you have reconsidered your retirement.

I wanted to publicly respond to a couple of questions that were asked, in case the answers were of interest to others:

1- Importing rifles into Canada: Provided the rifle meets our classification for "unrestricted", which most bolt guns with barrels over 16" should then the process is remarkably easy. All you need to do is fill out a form, in triplicate, and bring it UNSIGNED to the border crossing where you will declare your rifle(s) and ammunition and sign the form in front of the customs officer. With the form and $25 you'll have a 60 day temporary license to possess firearms in Canada. I will post a link to the form under the Entry Form section of the event website.

2- F-Open Caliber: DCRA rules explicitly limits F-Open to any caliber under 8mm however the range template may not support anything and everything under that. All F-Open competitors are asked to complete the load data work sheet included with the entry form.

3- Payment Options: Unfortunately we are not set up for credit card/Paypal. We are looking into whether we can take US cheques at par, but the safest thing for al involved would be a Canadian dollar money order.

4- Target: We will be shooting on the DCRA F-Class target, which I believe is just marginally larger than the ICFRA centers. It is a 5 point scoring system, with a 1/2 MOA V-bull (or X-ring).

If anyone has any other questions please feel free to post them here or send them to me by PM.

All the best,

Scott

 

[Va Jim]

Scott
Your killing me here. Question is how to fit this match in the schedule. Looks like a great range. Ive never been North of the border but shot with a lot of folks who came down this way. Hmmm
Va Jim
Jim Crofts

 

[The Viper]

Jim,

Any match at Connaught is well worth skipping a few matches in the states. You will not be dissapointed.
One thing that should be mentioned. Anyone going to Canada, must stop at U.S. Customs and declare your target rifle. They will inspect the action and give you a declaration sheet. If you don't have it when you return, it's a nightmare.

It has always amazed me that it's easier to get out of our country with a rifle, then it is to get home with it.
Canadian Customs are now very informed, pleasant and very proffessional to deal with.

 

[ScottyB]

Question is how to fit this match in the schedule. Looks like a great range. Ive never been North of the border but shot with a lot of folks who came down this way. Hmm

Jim,

We'd love to have you, and as The Viper mentioned I think you'd have a great time. A lot of the guys that come to this shoot would have made up the bulk of the Canadian team that was down to Perry last year, and we are expecting at least 3 of the guys who will be shooting US Nationals and Worlds as part of the Canadian contingent in Raton so there should certainly be some familiar faces.

Hope you can find room in your schedule for us!

 

[mysticplayer]

I look forward to competing there in the years leading up to the next Worlds.

As a thought, our borders, although friendly, keep moving the fence posts on do and don'ts

For Canadians coming back into Canada, as a few of us will after the US Nats and Worlds this Aug, we have to prove that the major items we have were NOT purchased outside the country.

So we bumble down to a customs office and have all our gear itemised. This shows that all sales tax has already been paid.

Carry a gun, we got a license - no problem. Bring back an item and not have a "tax" slip, all sorts of fun and games

Not sure how US customs works that way...

Hope some of you will make the trip up north. Bisley style shooting takes a bit to get used to vs string shooting.... but it is fun as it is challenging

Jerry

 

[ORANGEKENNY]

I have been to Camp Perry last summer and i would really love to see you guys again. We have paid marker, so we would have time to see each other a little more. I'm thinking of James, Laura, Daniel, Dale, Nikolas..

I know that some of you are involved in heavy schedule this year, but you won't regret if you come up!

Kenny Proulx

 

[TonyR]

Scott.
Do you have the dates for the 2017 FCWC yet? I have a full summer at Raton but hope to get up there in 2014.
Thanks.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

And for my fellow Americans who may show up at that championship, please be aware the fireworks on July 1 will not be in celebration of the end of the championship. Those will be to mark Canada Day, AKA Dominion Day or anniversary of confederation.

 

[ScottyB]

Do you have the dates for the 2017 FCWC yet? I have a full summer at Raton but hope to get up there in 2014.
Thanks.

Tony,

I know there was some discussion around the 2017 FCWC at the DCRA meeting held over the weekend. I would expect that there will be some decisions made on the organizing committee and dates in fairly short order.

Looking forward to shooting with you next year!

Scott

 

[ScottyB]

Just a quick update to let you all know that the forms required to import rifle(s) and ammunition into Canada can now be found on the event website, http://www.easternfclass.ca/entry-form/form-for-us-shooters

As always, please let me know if you've got any other questions!

Scott

 

[ScottyB]

Another update to let anyone in the US know that we are now able to accept entry fees via PayPal. If you've got any questions or want more information please send me a PM.

Scott